Arsenal boss Unai Emery prizes European trophy over top-four finish

Unai Emery would take Europa League glory over a top-four finish as he fights to return Arsenal to the Champions League.

The Gunners have failed to qualify for Europe’s top club competition in the previous two seasons, finishing a distant sixth in the Premier League in Arsene Wenger’s final year in charge.

They also reached the Europa League semi-final under Wenger, losing to eventual winners Atletico Madrid, to again miss out on the Champions League.

Arsene Wenger could not deliver Arsenal to the Europa League final (Adam Davy/PA)

Emery replaced the Frenchman in the Emirates Stadium dugout over the summer and has been charged with changing Arsenal’s fortunes.

The 43-year-old won three successive Europa League titles during his tenure at Sevilla and said he would prioritise lifting the trophy once more.

Asked how he would prefer to qualify for the Champions League, Emery replied: “One choice? For me, the Europa League is very important because it is one title and I think for us, every title is the best way, the best performance, the best future.”

While the former Paris St Germain boss wants silverware in his first season in England, he also admitted that a strong league showing is a must.

“The Premier League is very important because I think it is the first competition of importance for us, because that gives us the big credibility on this season,” he added.

“Thirty-eight matches give us and give them (opponents) the clarity to show who is the best for the top four. It is clear that we have a very, very competitive team to do that – I am confident in my team.”

Emery made eight changes for his opening Europa League game in charge – a 4-2 win over Vorskla Poltava on Thursday night.

The likes of Petr Cech, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette dropped out of the side and will be pushing for recalls at home to Everton on Sunday.

Lucas Torreira was handed his first start since joining in the summer but came off before the hour mark and sat on the bench icing his knee.

It remains to be seen if he will be fit to keep his place against the Toffees, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan could also miss out after suffering a minor ankle injury in the same game.